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package com.sun.grizzly.util;

import java.util.Map;

/**
 * Interface declares common functionality for objects, which could have
 * associated attributes.
 * 
 * @author Alexey Stashok
 */
public interface AttributeHolder {
    /**
     * Remove a name/value object.
     * @param name - name of an attribute
     * @return  attribute which has been removed
     */
    public Object removeAttribute(String name);
    
    
    /**
     * Set a name/value object.
     * @param name - name of an attribute
     * @param value - value of named attribute
     */
    public void setAttribute(String name, Object value);
    
    
    /**
     * Set a {@link Map} of attribute name/value pairs.
     * Old {@link AttributeHolder} values will not be available.
     * Later changes of this {@link Map} will lead to changes to the current
     * {@link AttributeHolder}.
     * 
     * @param attributes - map of name/value pairs
     */
    public void setAttributes(Map<String, Object> attributes);

    
    /**
     * Return an object based on a name.
     * @param name - name of an attribute
     * @return - attribute value for the <tt>name</tt>, null if <tt>name</tt>
     *           does not exist in <tt>attributes</tt>
     */
    public Object getAttribute(String name);


    /**
     * Return a {@link Map} of attribute name/value pairs.
     * Updates, performed on the returned {@link Map} will be reflected in
     * this {@link AttributeHolder}
     * 
     * @return - {@link Map} of attribute name/value pairs
     */
    public Map<String, Object> getAttributes();
}
